David Nalbandian accused of hidden camera harrassment by ex-girlfriend

James Richardson 23 Nov 2023 5:45 PM

David Nalbandian returns the ball.

Former Argentine tennis professional David Nalbandian is facing harassment charges after allegedly putting a hidden camera in the flat of his ex-girlfriend, Araceli Torrado.

Nalbandian broke off his 22-year relationship with Victoria Bosch, with whom he had two daughters, in December 2022. The Argentine would then make his relationship with Torrado, a model from Rosario, public in February when they were sighted together at a Buenos Aires theatre.

However, the pair split up in June and now serious allegations have been levelled against Nalbandian.

The pair lived together in a shared flat in Buenos Aires’ Palermo neighbourhood. After their split, Torrado stayed at the residence for a while according to reports on the matter.

She and her brother are said to have found a surveillance camera hidden under a central air conditioning unit during this time.

After removing the cover with a screwdriver, Torrado’s brother discovered a connected security camera underneath it. Following the finding, Torrado brought a harassment lawsuit against Nalbandian; however, the courts allegedly rejected it due to a lack of evidence to support her claims.

“According to what has been deduced from the complainant’s statements, a situation of violence against women and domestic violence in the form of symbolic, psychological, emotional and physical harassment is deduced. The asymmetry of power must also be considered based on the place that the accused occupies due to the professional activity he carries out,” The Victim and Witness Assistance Office of the City Prosecutor’s Office in Rosario said in a statement.

La Nacion, a Spanish newspaper, said that David Nalbandian acknowledged setting up the camera in an audio message but insisted he never saw anything. Martín Olari Ugrotte, Torrado’s attorney, has now claimed that this unexpected revelation made the probe’s reopening possible.

“Do you want me to be honest? Yes, I put it on that day. I couldn’t see it because I don’t know what the Internet chaos is. It can’t be seen. I couldn’t see anything,” said the former Argentinian player, as reported by La Nacion.

A former junior world No 3 Nalbandian clinched a total of 11 titles across his professional career, including two ATP Masters 1000s; first at the Madrid Open in 2007 and later that same year at the Paris Masters. He also secured the year-end championships trophy in 2005.

The 41-year-old featured in one Grand Slam final when he reached the 2002 Wimbledon Championships final and made four other semifinals at the Slams.